[Total Score for this Duel: 600 DP]
[Achievement Complete, Reward Awaiting Collection]
[You have received a Card Drop, please check your inventory]
Compared to the first message, which appeared after every Duel, Hayato was most interested in the third.
As compensation for the DP System overhaul, Hayato could use this *Card Drop* system to directly snag cards corresponding to the duelists he defeated.
And who had Hayato just defeated? The one and only Sheppard! The future head of Duel Academy, Zane's teacher, and a master of the Cyber Style. It would be a crime if he didn't drop a *Cyber Dragon*.
Then, Hayato looked at the Trap Card that appeared in his hand and was lost in thought—*Does the Cyber Style even have a future?*
The card he received was *Skull Invitation*, also known as "Temptation of the Father of Ultra," or more directly, "Temptation of the Shadow Realm." With nicknames like that, one could guess its effect was anything but cheerful.
Its effect was that every time a card was sent to the Graveyard, the card's Owner took 300 points of damage for each card. While it didn't interfere with the flow of combos, this card was downright sinister against Decks that heavily utilized the Graveyard.
In his past life, Hayato had a painful experience where he activated *That Grass Looks Greener*, milling more than ten cards from his Deck to the Graveyard, only for his opponent to Chain with *Temptation of the Shadow Realm*, forcing him to inflict over four thousand points of self-damage in one go.
If this card had appeared on one of the "Gravekeeper Trio"—the cheerful boy Marik, the passionate Ishizu, or the flippant Odion—Hayato would have found it quite reasonable. The problem was that this card dropped from Sheppard, a "Cyber Style" duelist.
That's Sheppard for you, Hayato thought. Even the System classifies you as a Shadow Realm duelist. And you still claim to play the Cyber Style?
To think he stuffed his Cyber Style Deck full of Shadow Realm cards. Luckily, my Pure Machine-Type Deck was a cut above.
Stepping down from the stage, Hayato walked on his own as a large group of Industrial Illusions staff passed by him. It seemed that due to the previous Duel, Pegasus's Duel Stage had finally reached the end of its service life and had to be replaced. As a result, the Duel between Hayato and Yugi had to be postponed.
However, Hayato was happy about this. His Deck still contained cards like *System Down*. Although he hadn't drawn it in his Duel with Sheppard, if he were to face Yugi, Hayato had no doubt that such specific counter cards would show up at a critical moment and brick his hand.
Furthermore, Hayato had just finished his Duel with Sheppard and was somewhat physically drained. Having some time to rest and recover was naturally a good thing. Though Monster Duels looked like just a card game on the surface, in reality, every instance of damage, every monster Summon, and even every draw consumed a certain amount of stamina—a cost that restoring Life Points couldn't recover.
It wasn't so bad before the Virtual Solid Vision System. Hayato had dueled Yugi and Joey before without feeling much, but after using Kaiba's Solid Vision, the sensation was greatly amplified. Hayato suspected that Kaiba had definitely added something strange to his Solid Vision, perhaps something related to the card spirits of Duel Monsters.
Leaving the rest area, Hayato made his way to the Audience Seating. Sheppard had beaten him there and was already awkwardly accepting comfort from Joey and the others.
"Mister Sheppard, you dueled great, really. If it were me, with my monster Summons locked down, I would've just had to sit there and wait to lose," Joey said, slinging an arm over Sheppard's shoulder. Although he was a high school student, Joey was in good shape and was actually five or six centimeters taller than Sheppard.
"Making it to the semifinals already proves you're an incredibly strong duelist. I'm sure you'll have plenty of endorsement offers waiting for you when you get back," said Mai Valentine. Her comfort was much more pragmatic than Joey's "if I were in your shoes" approach. "Besides, I imagine you'll be able to graduate from the 'Cyber Style' after you return, right, Mister Sheppard?"
"Oh, right, the most famous card of the 'Cyber Style' is *Cyber Dragon*, isn't it? I've heard of that great monster for a long time. It's just a shame, Mister Sheppard, that your current Deck isn't the perfected 'Cyber Style' Deck with *Cyber Dragon* in it, and that I didn't get a chance to face you."
Yugi spoke, looking at Sheppard with anticipation. "Mister Sheppard, if we have the chance to meet again after Duelist Kingdom, at that time, could I ask you for a Duel using your perfected 'Cyber Style' with *Cyber Dragon*?"
Sheppard smiled and replied, "A Duel is no problem, of course. But unfortunately, I might not be able to use the perfected 'Cyber Style' then."
Yugi paused for a moment, then understood Sheppard's meaning. "I see. You've also found your own path forward. I truly look forward to when we meet again."
Just then, Bakura, who was standing on the outer edge of the group, noticed Hayato's arrival. He walked over with a joyful expression, smiling as he congratulated him. "Congratulations, Hayato! Another victory in a Duel."
"Oh, Hayato, you're here too. That *Prime Material Dragon* just now was way too cool!" Tristan turned his head upon hearing Bakura and looked at Hayato. "A massive Wyvern descending from the sky at super high speed, diving towards the ground... and even when the people on the ground tried to fight back, they couldn't even scratch the Dragon's shell. It was more exciting than that 'Monster Hunter X' game that just came out."
Joey chimed in with a timely jab from the side. "Everything else was fine, but that 'Cute Star Soaring Collision' or whatever... the name is just in awful taste."
"Hahaha, don't worry about it, don't worry about it," Hayato replied with a laugh, his gaze shifting to the smiling Sheppard. "Mister Sheppard, thank you for the Duel. I've grown a lot because of it."
This wasn't just a polite remark. Not only had he gotten the *Skull Invitation* drop, but on his way over, Hayato had also claimed the achievement reward for defeating Sheppard. Although the achievement had the ridiculously named title "[Won the Kiss of the Duel Academy's Flower]," the reward was a new System function that was extremely useful for Hayato.
"I should be the one saying that, Hayato," Sheppard said with a smile. "Thank you for showing me both the limits of perfection and the limits of strength. Just like the promise Yugi just made with me, I'd like to make a promise with you as well. When I've completed my 'Cyber Style' that surpasses perfection, will you Duel me again?"
Seeing Sheppard's outstretched hand, Hayato smiled and shook it. "Yes, it's a promise. After all, I never turn down a Duel."
"Then, carry my spirit with you and keep on dueling, Hayato." Sheppard waved his hand and looked over at Yugi. "Your next opponent is Yugi. He's the legendary duelist who defeated *Blue-Eyes White Dragon*. Even after watching your Duels, Yugi, I still can't see the upper limit of your potential."
"Prepare for a tough fight, Hayato."
Hayato nodded, about to say something, when he suddenly felt a gaze focused on his back. He whipped his head around, only to see Camula sitting not far away, watching them with a smile on her face, her hands clapping together.
(end of chapter)